“It’s like a slow, steady torture.” Dominick Cruz said when former lightweight juggernaut Khabib Nurmagomedov showcased the purest form of grappling—nothing short of a martial “art”—against the dangerous lightweight striker, Edson Barboza. ‘The Eagle’ absorbed Barboza’s signature spinning wheel kick three times but still dominated, making the Brazilian appear “mauled” under his relentless ground-and-pound game. The Dagestani’s unyielding pressure and control earned him a lopsided scorecard, which ultimately set him on the path to an interim title shot.
But why is this relevant today? Well, the UFC is set to return to London for its 16th event, with Sean Brady headlining against former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. For the unversed, ‘Rocky’ is eager to bounce back after his title loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 last year. However, Sean Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, believes that the Englishman—who struggled against Muhammad’s “flowy” grappling—will face even greater challenges against the American’s grappling, which mirrors Nurmagomedov’s “pressure” style.
The Xtreme Couture head honcho recently offered his thoughts on the upcoming UFC London headliner during a segment on his YouTube channel. While discussing Belal Muhammad’s win over Leon Edwards, his co-host noted, “Belal’s victory over him looks even more impressive as Sean works his way back to the title because I believe he’s truly exceptional.” In response, Nicksick pointed to Brady’s standout performances, including his impressive submission win over Kelvin Gastelum, where Brady secured a Kimura.
Nicksick explained, “I think it’s one of those fights where Khabib laid the blueprint for us against Edson Barbosa. I think Sean puts it on him. I think Sean does it better than what Belal did. That’s my whole point, that’s what I was getting at. I think they take that blueprint and make it better. I think Sean has better topside grappling than Belal. I think Belal’s a little bit more flowy as far as his grappling. I think Sean is more pressure, glued-in, ground-and-pound style.”
December 2, 2023, AUSTIN, TEXAS, United States: Austin, TX- Sean Brady celebrating his win in Welterweight Bout during UFC FIGHT NIGHT event at Moody Center, Austin United States AUSTIN United States – ZUMAr187 20231202_zsp_r187_030 Copyright: xJustinxRenfroex
But does Eric Nicksick’s assessment hold weight? Sean Brady has quickly established himself as one of the welterweight division’s most promising contenders, currently sporting an impressive 17-1 record. With recent dominant wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns, he has strengthened his case as a future title challenger.
However, Sean Brady’s path has already intersected with Belal Muhammad once before. At UFC 280 in 2022, the Pennsylvanian entered the Octagon as the fan favorite, backed by his flawless record and reputation as a grappling powerhouse. Many expected a technical battle on the ground between the two elite wrestlers, but Muhammad had other plans. In a stunning second-round finish, he turned the fight on its head, securing a knockout victory and handing Brady his first career defeat.
For fans hoping to witness a pure wrestling and grappling showdown, the fight failed to deliver. Now, with Muhammad reigning as the division’s top contender and Brady on the verge of a potential breakthrough against Leon Edwards, the possibility of a long-awaited rematch looms large—especially if the American can make a statement in London.
Belal Muhammad stepped in to break down the upcoming Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady
Belal Muhammad, the reigning welterweight champion, has yet to defend his title, but he remains highly attentive to the division, keeping a close eye on potential challengers. With his first title defense scheduled on May 10 against Australian rising star Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Montreal, Muhammad is already preparing for a likely showdown with Shavkat Rakhmonov in the near future.
However, the upcoming UFC London main event could significantly impact the division’s landscape. Former champion Leon Edwards and rising contender Sean Brady—both of whom ‘Remember the Name’ defeated on his path to the title—are set to face off. Given their shared history, it’s only natural that Muhammad is paying close attention to the matchup.
February 26, 2025, Montreal, Pq, CANADA: UFC 315 welterweight champion Belal Muhammad speaks during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz to announce his upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Canada News – February 26, 2025 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAc35_ 20250226_zaf_c35_046 Copyright: xChristinnexMuschix
In a conversation with MMA Junkie, Muhammad weighed in on the fight, saying, “That’s a big one, right? That’s another name where you’re like, ‘He looked good his last two fights,” the champ said of Brady. “I think he has to go out there and put on a performance against Leon, and then we’ll also see where Leon is because Sean Brady isn’t an easy task. But I beat both of them, so whoever’s watching that fight, just know that the best man in the world has the belt because you’re going to be cheering for both of those guys, and I beat them all.”
With UFC London on the horizon, how do you see this fight playing out? Can Sean Brady’s relentless pressure and wrestling overwhelm Leon Edwards, positioning him as the next welterweight title contender? Share your thoughts below!
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